Issari's Perspective on Immigration and Refugees in Greece

Creator: Georgios Giannopoulos | Credit: Georgios Giannopoulos on Wikimedia

Issari's Research on Syrian Migration in Greece

Issari and her co-authors conducted a qualitative study to explore the life stories of Syrian refugees living in Greece awaiting resettlement to another EU country. Instead of posing a research question, the authors adopt a phenomenological enquiry, seeking to bring a narrative approach and a strengths-based social justice perspective. Issari and colleagues supplement the research with biographical narrative interviews, in which participants recount their experiences before, during, and after the war in Syria, reflecting on their identity, family roles, aspirations, and challenges. The study highlights their narratives, emphasising participants' agency, and resilience in navigating adversity and seeking safety. While the main reasons for leaving Syria were rooted in the violent circumstances of war, participants also shared personal motivations and hopes for the future, illustrating the diverse and multifaceted nature of refugee experiences. Despite facing significant hardships, including the long journey and their transition through Greece, they expressed gratitude for the support they received, while advocating for improved living conditions and more individualised approaches to address their needs.

Newspaper Article: Syrian refugees regret going to Greece (Al Jazeera)

Al Jazeera's article looks at the challenges facing Syrian refugees who have arrived in Greece and are waiting for their asylum applications to be processed. Despite the agreement between the EU and Türkiye to reduce the influx of asylum seekers, many Syrians continue to make the difficult journey across the Mediterranean to Greece. Once in Greece, however, some of them regret their decision to leave Syria, citing the lengthy delays in the asylum process and the harsh living conditions they endure while waiting.

Mustafa and Nadia, a Syrian couple, express their frustration after spending four months in a broken tent next to the port of Piraeus in Athens waiting for their asylum interviews to be scheduled. They express sorrow for the uncertainty and despair of their situation, and Mustafa even contemplates committing suicide with his wife. The slow relocation process and uncertainty about their future lead some refugees to consider returning to Syria or even trying to smuggle themselves into Türkiye, despite the risks involved. Some Syrians feel so hopeless that they even contemplate joining extremist groups as a last resort.

Syrian refugees regret going to GreeceStuck for months waiting for refugee applications to be processed, some Syrians pay to be smuggled back to Turkey.

Questions

How were the study findings validated or collated to ensure their accuracy and reliability?
How does the methodology of this study contribute to existing knowledge or understanding of the experiences of Syrian refugees in Greece?

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